Antonio Conte urged Eden Hazard and Chelsea to seize their opportunity in Wednesday night’s Champions League Group C clash at Atletico Madrid.

Diego Costa’s move to re-join Atletico from Chelsea last week is an intriguing sub-plot of the clash, but Conte preferred to focus on his current squad on Tuesday.

And the Italian wants Belgium playmaker Hazard, who is yet to start in the Premier League this season following his broken ankle in June, to build on his scintillating title-winning displays last season with Chelsea again among Europe’s elite.

“Last season Eden played a really important season, played very well and he was very important for us in winning the league,” Chelsea boss Conte said.

“Last season, he showed in every game great talent, to be a really good player, a top player.

“This competition is very important for him, but I think it’s important for the team.

“This competition brings you to another level. I think he has all the possibilities to do this.

“He’s a really top player. Now he’s totally fit and in contention for tomorrow’s game. I think it’s the right moment.”

Chelsea were absent from the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2003-04 last season.

And Conte wants to measure his team against one with European pedigree in Diego Simeone’s Atletico.

“In this type of game, you understand which is also your moment,” Conte added.

“For us, it’s very important to play this type of game: away against one of the best teams in the Champions League. I think it’s the right moment also to understand where we are.”